Isuzu mu-X sales push IPC’s 19% growth in November

THE flagship offering of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) is also the company’s current biggest sales driver as the model helped lift the Isuzu brand’s growth to new levels.

Introduced only in September, the All-New Isuzu mu-X is already turning out as IPC’s power seller as it responds to the local automotive market’s clamor for a new, family-oriented, premium SUV. In the latest combined reports by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) show that the all-new Isuzu mu-X registered 532 deliveries in November compared against 332 in October, or a solid 60.2% month-to-date rise. On a year-to-date comparison, the CAMPI-TMA reports reflect deliveries of 1,546 units from January to November versus 524 units of mixed Isuzu Alterra and All-New mu-X models during the same 11-month period in 2013. This equates to a stunning 195% growth for IPC’s SUV sales.

The All-New mu-X’s vigorous performance accelerated IPC’s results to an 18.9% spike in November as the company sold a total of 1,637 units for the month, compared to 1,377 units in October.

“The overwhelming market response toward the all-new mu-X means that consumer confidence over the Isuzu brand is not just consistent but is, in fact, even growing as we continue to offer innovative models,” said IPC President Nobuo Izumina. Undoubtedly, the current positive state of the Philippine economy is also a key factor as this boosts spending. Isuzu Philippines’ growth in November, along with the uptake of the entire domestic automotive industry, reflects this optimism.”

Such is the strength of the Isuzu mu-X’s performance that the model managed to tow the slight slowdown in movement of the Isuzu Crosswind AUV and D-MAX pickup. The Crosswind sold 319 units in November, a 5.6% dip from October results, while the D-MAX sold 307 units in November, an identical 5.8% decline from the previous month. Still, IPC’s total sales of Light Commercial Vehicles rose 16.3% in November.

The Isuzu mu-X’s record is complemented by the consistently strong showing of IPC’s Commercial Vehicle lineup, particularly by the Category III N-Series. The N-Series, which has been the Philippines’ best-selling light-duty truck for 14 consecutive years, saw a 38.1% increase in November with sales of 326 units against 236 units in the previous month. Isuzu’s Category V heavy-duty trucks also posted a staggering 433.3% growth month-to-date with deliveries of 16 units in November versus 3 in October. Combined, IPC’s truck sales total in November grew 25.7%.

On a year-to-date basis, IPC’s sales of Light Commercial Vehicles from January to November have reached 9,551 units, 1,267 units more than in the same months in 2013, or a 15.3% growth. Along with the All-New Isuzu mu-X, a key contributor in IPC’s 11-month result is the D-MAX, which showed a 66.3% increase with deliveries of 3,493 units this year against 2,100 units last year. Also a major factor are IPC’s Category IV and V trucks, which hauled the company’s truck sales total to a 25.5% growth with 3,093 units sold from January to November compared to 2,465 units in the same period in 2013.

Overall, the results put IPC at a 17.6% growth from last year, or 12,644 units from January to November this year versus 10,749 units from the same months last year, keeping the company on track to achieve its annual sales target.